Overview

Peak 3260 is located in southern Oregon in Jackson County. It is about 3.5 miles east of Shady Cove and the Rogue River. The Willamette Meridian lies about 1,000 ft west of the summit of Peak 3260. Peak 3260 is ranked #284 on the Oregon Prominence List with 1,240 ft of prominence. The summit is unnamed, however Camel Hump (1.0 mile north) and Joe Dyer Butte (.8 mile south) are in the general vicinity and are not higher in elevation or more prominent. SP’er Dean suggested I call this peak “Poulin Peak” but I will hold out for a more prominent peak with greater technical difficulty before affixing my name to a summit. I think any SP’er submitting an unnamed peak should have the privilege of naming it officially.

Peak 3260 is on BLM land administered by the Medford, Oregon office. The BLM and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest share a headquarters building in Medford and it is a good place to stop for information if you are in the area. Peak 3260 is in an area that looks like a checkerboard pattern of public and private ownership on the forest service map. Access to the summit is not an easy proposition. Much of the land surrounding the peak is under private ownership and “No Trespassing” signs are on virtually every road into the area. I found a way in that does not seem to pass through private property and that information can be found in the Route attached to this page.

Getting There

To find Peak 3260 go north on Highway 62 towards Crater Lake from Medford. Pass through White City and Eagle Point. About 1.0 mile after you pass Hwy 234, turn right on the Butte Falls Highway. Stay on Butte Falls Highway for 7.6 miles to a smaller paved road on the left named Crowfoot Road. Crowfoot Road is paved but it is kind of crooked with sharp turns in places. Continue another 6.5 miles on Crowfoot Road to an unmarked gravel road on the left. Turn onto this road and park on the left. Don’t block the gate. This is the trailhead, elevation 1,610 ft.

You can also reach the trailhead by continuing on Hwy 62 through Shady Cove. Keep going until you cross the nice wide bridge over the Rogue River just past Casey State Park and before you get to Lost Creek Lake. Just after you cross the bridge turn right on the paved road and go about 1.1 miles to the trailhead.

Red Tape

No red tape, no northwest forest pass required, no fires permitted. Hunters like this area for elk and deer. Wear your day-glo orange stuff during October and November.

Camping

Camping is in abundance in this area from Shady Cove to Crater Lake and everywhere in between. Joseph H. Stewart State Park is probably the closet campground. There are several others in the area also.

Backpack camping can be done on BLM land. I would be careful of fire in the summer. There are no water sources available on this hike. This area can be quite hot in July and August and camping would be much more enjoyable on the river or the lake.

Mountain Conditions

The mountain is accessible year round. Occasionally there is snow or lots of rain to contend with along with hot temperatures in the summer. There is no water source on this route. The closest towns are Shady Cove and Eagle Point.